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I don’t know where this is coming from and how much of it just overblown, but I came across an article on ESPN.com that took a swipe at Kevin Ogletree’s character.

Tim MacMahon believes that the Kevin Ogletree, who kept making plays a year ago in the Alamodome when he was fighting for a roster spot, no longer has that same sense of urgency in this training camp.

The Cowboys still like Ogletree’s potential and believe he was a steal as an undrafted free agent. He showed his promise by making plays in a limited role as a rookie. Other than Dez Bryant, there might not be a more explosive receiver on the roster. He will be on the 53-man roster.

However, if Ogletree wants a significant role this season, he better flip the switch soon.

Ogletree has dropped too many balls this camp. He has failed to fight for the ball too many times. An example came on a crossing route during Thursday morning’s practice, when he allowed undrafted rookie cornerback Bryan McCann to knock the ball out of his hands.

MacMahon also says that he has Cowboys sources that are saying Ogletree has a sense of entitlement. That may or may not be true, but sometimes confidence in one’s abilities can be mistaken for a sense of urgency.

I don’t mind seeing a little swagger on the team, and would especially love to see that among some of the veterans.

The article concludes by saying that Ogletree doesn’t appear to have the right attitude. Really? One week into training camp and we’re already making judgment calls?

Needless to say, I disagree with MacMahon on this one, and I’d advise him to let the rest of training camp play out before calling someone out.

October 27th, 2002 – I had seen Emmitt and the Cowboys just a week earlier in Arizona. When I purchased the tickets, I knew I would have a chance to see the all-time rushing record broken. I fell just 93 yards short and Emmitt went on to break the record at Texas Stadium the following week.

As Emmitt heads for the hallowed halls of Canton it can be said, with confidence, that this record may never be broken again. In this new era of the two and three-headed running backs by committee is it even conceivable? There is only one active player even in the top 10 in regards to all-time leading rushers (LaDainian Tomlinson), and he is still almost 6,000 yards away.

As a stats guy, I recognize that it is possible for LT to surpass Emmitt. In fact, LT’s career rushing stats through 9 seasons are actually better than Emmitt’s career stats by an average of 164 yards per year. Although I said possible, I am not saying probable! Now that LT has moved on to the Jets’ ground and pound offense, you have to wonder whether he will get the touches or even have the fortitude needed to surpass Emmitt.

Off in the distance, you will almost always hear the “but if Barry hadn’t retired”, or the “if Barry would’ve had a line like Emmitt’s” argument. These arguments are most always from Dallas haters rather than from actual fans of Barry himself. Again, statistically it was possible, admittedly even probable – but it didn’t happen that way!

What did happen was that the hole in the roof was used for someone else to watch the Cowboys play that day. That day, a bit of “sweetness” was used to shine the star a bit brighter forever more on the helmet of the great number 22.

I began browsing sports news this morning when I stumbled across an article at the Dallas Morning News. The article entitled “Dallas Cowboys RB Jones stays one step ahead” is all about Felix Jones and how he has improved. I thought to myself, “Wow, we have barely seen what he has and fell head over heals in love with him, and now they say he has improved his routes?!”

Here is what running backs coach Skip Peete had to say,

“One of his biggest attributes is not the first guy he’s trying to make miss, but the second guy. He’s already starting to work to see where that guy is coming from and getting his next move, his next decision-making process started.

“Some guys will run and make a move on the guy directly in front of him, then start running again. There is no slowdown with Felix. He will see the next guy and is ready to create and make a move. It looks like it’s all one motion.”

Here’s Felix,

“You have to look forward to the next move. If you have somebody already set up to get past them, you are looking forward to making another move to get to the end zone.

“It’s hard to put into words, but once you see your blocker in front of you, you have confidence in him and know that he’s going to do his job, you automatically look for the next guy.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one who has that ability, to look forward to the next move. But it is a blessing.”

Amazing. Confidence, intelligence and talent, Felix has it all. If last year’s 30 carries were just a taste of what Felix can bring, we are in for one hell of a show!

I realize there is a ton of hype about this guy and he hasn’t even played a full season, but the excitement is so hard to hold back.

Do you think the Cowboys have swagger this year? I know the games haven’t been played yet, but I have confidence in this team. At first I didn’t think addition by subtraction was good. The Cowboys have now convinced me. The most optimal word is IF this year. The defense will be just as good or even better. Teams will not know where Ware will be coming from. I see DeMarcus getting the sack record this year.

Roy Williams (safety) is gone, but he was never a really good cover man anyway. He was always getting beat on 1 on 1 situations. The two sophomore players, Jenkins and Scandrick, will step up and be a force in the secondary this season. Brookings has played in Phillips’ scheme before. That should be a smooth transition for him. The Cowboys defense will be top 5, at least.

As for the offense, it is Tony’s team. Williams is good at routes and has sure hands. Witten is probably if not the best tight end the Cowboys ever had. Crayton runs great routes too. I have seen in games past that some WRs give up on their routes. You know who I am talking about. The 3-headed monster of Barber, Jones, and Choice will give defensive players fits. Austin will come into his own, if injuries don’t plague him this year. Tony needs to cut down on mental mistakes. He has shown flashes of what a great Quarterback should be. This is his year to shine. Time for the Cowboys to be Romo-friendly. Whatever that means….

My prediction for this coming season at 10-6 If everything happens the way it should. Like I said IF. I know injuries happen throughout the season. But, I am excited for the upcoming season. I see a Cowboys Swagger about them this year.

There are things in life that just make you happy. It doesn’t matter what bills are due, what you have to get done, how you are feeling, what you think about your ex-girlfriend. Nope, none of those things matter when you get the rare occasion to enjoy the things in life that make you truly happy. For me, one of those things is the DALLAS COWBOYS. I am excited about the start of preaseason tonight, because it is the start of the journey to, hopefully, Tampa Bay and the Superbowl. I don’t care if Romo plays 7 plays, I don’t care if TO plays 2 plays, we have arrived. We are finally to this day. The Cowboys will take the field. The wait is over. There is a god!

As for the game itself, Offensively, I am looking forward to seeing Felix Jones and Tashard Choice in an expanded role. Although, I wouldn’t expect us to show too much tonight in regards to Felix moving all over the field and lining up at different postions. It will be nice to see him get to tote it a few times though. I am also looking forward to seeing WR Danny Amendola. I want to see if he can carry his strong training camp over to the playing field. It won’t be Romo throwing to Amendola though, Brad Johnson should take over after the first few series and look for 3rd String quarterback Richard Bartel to get most of the 2nd half tonight and for the rest of the preseason.

On the defensive side of the ball, of course, I want to see what Pac-Man has up his sleeve. He has already come out in the papers predicting an interception return for a TD so, the man has confidence if nothing else. This will be his first live action in over a year. It will be fun to watch, and if he gets that PICK SIX, he’s got me sold. Don’t tell, but I am already starting to like him a little bit. Another thing to watch, Bobby Carpenter. It is time for him to start making some plays, he will get plenty of oppurtunities tonight. This is his 3rd year and his salary keeps getting bigger. Look for him to improve and produce or as Jason Garrett said on Hard Knocks: “Find the Door”.

And of course….the “I” word. Injuries. I don’t fear injuries any worse because they are playing in a game, I fear injuries every day and every play of training camp. There can be an injury in the weight room, in non-contact drills, anytime and anywhere. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope we come out clean and ready to keep getting better and keep working hard in camp.

Well, I just finished watching the season premiere of Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys, and I am blown away. I had extrememly high expectations and they were exceeded. HBO and NFL Films showed once again why they are the top of their respective classes. I know this is not the most expansive blog but I have to take a quick nap so I can wake up and watch it again at midnight! My favorite was the end. “Romo plays with swagger, Witten plays with swagger, TO plays with swagger, that’s confidence, and if you don’t have it, then show yourself to the door!” I got confidence. Confidence that we will be the last team standing come February. Go ‘Boys!